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Ramage confident Crystal Palace can stay up

Crystal Palace defender Peter Ramage has insisted his side can avoid relegation from the Premier League next season.

Ian Holloway's side finished fifth in the Championship last term but sealed promotion with victory over Watford in the play-off final in May.

And, despite the London outfit being widely tipped for an immediate term to the English second tier, Ramage is certain Palace can avoid that fate.

"We've got as good a chance as any other team that's gone up," he said. "Everyone expects the three that have come up to go down.

"You've got to take every game as it comes, go out and put in performances and as long as that's good enough for the supporters and manager, hopefully that will be good enough to get you the result on the day.

"It's going to be tough. We are under no illusions because there are no easy games. But hopefully we can pick up results and stay in the division.

"If someone was to offer us 17th I think most people would snap their hands off now. That will be the target but if we can go higher, that's a bonus.

"But I'm champing at the bit to get going now. It's the Premier League. To have that badge on your arm means everything to a footballer.

"It's where I always dreamed of playing and I've been fortunate enough to play a few games there and now I'm back I'll do everything I can to get in that team against Spurs (on the first day of the season)."

Palace last played in the Premier League in 2005, with their one-year stay ended by an 18th-placed finish.